Michigan sees record-high student achievement amid calls for continued investment

Dr. Sue Carnell - Chief Deputy Superintendent | Michigan Department of Education

State Superintendent Dr. Michael F. Rice testified before a House subcommittee, highlighting record-high achievements in Michigan public schools due to increased state investments in education. During his testimony, Dr. Rice presented data showing improvements in graduation rates, Advanced Placement success, and Career and Technical Education program completions.

Dr. Rice expressed gratitude for the legislative support, stating, “I appreciate the historic investments in education by the legislature and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in fiscal years 2023 and 2024.” However, he emphasized that further work and funding are needed, particularly for English Language Arts achievement.

The state's four-year graduation rate reached a record high of 82.8% in 2024, up from 81.8% in 2023. Postsecondary credential attainment also hit a new peak at 51.8%, aligning with the governor’s Sixty by 30 Goal to have 60% of adults aged 25-64 with a college degree or skill certificate by 2030.

Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs saw increased enrollment and completion rates over the past three years, with CTE completers rising by nearly 19% to reach a historical high of 52,625 students.

Advanced Placement participation has grown by 12.3% over two years, with more than 63,000 students taking AP tests and over 44,000 achieving scores that often qualify for college credit.

Despite these successes, challenges remain in improving reading and writing skills among students. The pandemic's impact on early learners was noted as contributing to lower proficiency levels in certain grades.

Key initiatives contributing to progress include increased school funding and new literacy laws aimed at enhancing reading instruction effectiveness. Additionally, efforts to address teacher shortages have gained national recognition through various programs designed to attract individuals to teaching careers.

While acknowledging ongoing teacher shortages, Dr. Rice noted that current investments are aiding efforts to mitigate these issues.